Chapter 31: The Enlightened Monk

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When Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi saw the monk, both wore expressions of perplexity.

“Here for alms?”

After a moment’s thought, Qin Changsheng took ten spirit stones from his storage ring and placed them into the monk’s bowl.

Consider it a tip.

Or rather, a donation to the alms-seeking monk.

What surprised him, however, was that the monk did not move aside.

“Do we know each other?” Qin Changsheng asked, puzzled.

He wondered why, after giving the spirit stones, the monk still wouldn’t yield the way.

The monk shook his head. “Not known in this life.”

“Then there must be a reason,” Qin Changsheng stepped back a couple of paces, placing Nangong Ruoxi protectively before him. “If the master thinks the fairy by my side is beautiful and wishes to return to secular life, you may discuss it with her. If she agrees, I have no objections.”

Nangong Ruoxi, displeased by Qin Changsheng’s behavior of pushing her forward, snorted and turned to leave.

“I am not here for the fairy, but for you, benefactor,” the monk said with a smile, his delicate face carrying a captivating charm.

“For me?” Qin Changsheng was stunned.

“The master has mistaken me. I am normal in orientation and do not favor men,” he said with a playful tone.

Hearing Qin Changsheng’s unexpected words, the monk’s hand holding the golden bowl trembled slightly. “Benefactor, you jest. The reason I have come is not what you think. I am here because of the aura emanating from you.”

With that, the monk activated the golden bowl, and immediately a golden Buddhist light enveloped Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi.

Startled, Qin Changsheng was about to act, but Nangong Ruoxi grabbed his hand.

“That is not a killing Buddhist light, but a purifying light…”

Though puzzled, Qin Changsheng calmed himself as a warm glow descended, and strange black vapors began to emanate from both him and Nangong Ruoxi.

The monk sat cross-legged and began chanting sutras.

The karmic bonds that the robed youth had attached to them slowly dissipated under the monk’s chanting.

At this moment, not far from Zhou City, the two strands of hair in the robed youth’s hand suddenly ignited, as if some force was fixated upon them.

“Hm? Who is it?”

The robed youth suddenly looked up.

He realized that all connections to Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi had vanished.

Though frightened away by Qin Changsheng, he had not given up his desire for him.

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No matter how fast Qin Changsheng cultivated, it was no match for the speed at which the robed youth devoured souls. He thought that by consuming more people, he could kill Qin Changsheng.

But to his surprise, only a few days had passed and his marks on Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi had disappeared?

The robed youth summoned his peach wood sword, his gray eyes opening and closing slowly, as countless Buddhist lights began to spread.

“Buddha?”

“You meddlesome bald monk, you’re asking for death!”

The robed youth put down his peach wood sword and looked towards the distant grand city, a complex expression crossing his face.

“At last, I have returned… Junior brother, I wonder how your swordsmanship has progressed?”

“Brother, I have missed you greatly.”

That day, the robed youth sheathed his sinister sword and transformed into a cheerful young man in Taoist robes. He tidied his hair and appearance to look more presentable, then walked into Zhou City.

“…”

“Monk, you can catch ghosts?”

Qin Changsheng felt his body lighten and looked at the delicate monk before him with delight. Though he thought the monk looked more like a woman, almost like a female demon, the fact that he had severed the connection to the robed youth made him less wary.

“Amitabha, the little monk knows a little,” the monk said shyly with a smile.

Nangong Ruoxi bowed slightly and said, “I am Nangong Ruoxi, grateful for the master’s purifying grace.”

At the same time, she whispered to Qin Changsheng, advising him not to speak recklessly and offend the monk, as anyone who understood the purifying Buddhist light was no ordinary monk.

“I am Monk Wuling, greetings to both benefactors.”

“Do you both have a moment to tell me where this aura comes from?”

The monk still did not move aside; it was clear his purpose was to purge the evil aura clinging to Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi.

“I am Qin Changsheng.”

Qin Changsheng nodded. “Master Wuling, if you do not mind, please join us for some morning tea here at the inn, and I will explain everything in detail.”

The three returned to the inn, ordered a pot of tea, and Qin Changsheng showed the monk the scene of the robed youth devouring souls.

Monk Wuling studied it silently for a long time.

“I did not expect this demon to be so evil. When I return to Lanke Temple, I will announce this to the world and capture this demon.”

Having gotten the explanation he sought, the monk rose hastily. “Benefactors, I must hurry to apprehend that demon. I will leave for now.”

“If fate allows, I will meet you both again.”

Wuling monk looked meaningfully at Qin Changsheng, a smile gracing his delicate face. He bowed slowly. “Farewell, benefactor Changsheng.”

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“Amitabha…”

The monk departed.

His coming was sudden, and his leaving just as abrupt.

“Why do I feel like there’s more to this monk’s words than he lets on?”

Qin Changsheng said, baffled.

Nangong Ruoxi watched his slow realization and smiled wryly. “Though I don’t know what’s hidden in his words, I can tell he did not come here solely to cleanse our aura.”

“Then why did he come?”

“For you.”

“Ah?” Qin Changsheng froze.

“You don’t suppose the monk’s orientation is unusual, do you?”

“Do you know what Lanke Temple represents? It is a sacred place of Buddhism, where every reincarnated Buddha appears…”

Nangong Ruoxi sighed.

“Buddhist cultivation is to awaken in this life and break from the past. That phrase he said — ‘Not known in this life’ — means you may have known each other in a past or future life. And he clearly said he came for you, but your first thought was that he had strange preferences, so the conversation ended there.”

Hearing this, Qin Changsheng suddenly looked in the direction the monk had left. “Ah, why didn’t you say so earlier? Let’s find the monk and ask him to explain.”

He grabbed Nangong Ruoxi’s hand and hurried after the monk.

But after some pursuit, the monk’s trail had vanished.

“Strange, this monk…”

Qin Changsheng was at a loss.

“Let’s go. As the monk said, if fate allows, we shall meet again.”

“Let’s head to that secret realm.”

Though Nangong Ruoxi could not fully understand, she knew this white-haired youth before her was not so simple. What she saw was but the tip of the iceberg. Even his fairy eyes and immortal aura were likely only a part of him.

Otherwise, why would everyone be after him? Why would so many trouble him?

Perhaps there were many karmic entanglements surrounding him.

And the monk—they cultivated both karma and reincarnation.